950 Merc 60's vintage, is it worth it

[bc28036]

I have a line on a 950 Merc "tower of power" for 200.00. It is attached to a Larson All american (basically a shell) and a small trailer. I'm mainly interested in the outboard but it has not run in I don't don't know how long. It looks like it has seen salt water duty (the lower unit is very pitted along with the prop). I can turn the engine over via the prop though. I also took off the cover to look a little closer and the wiring will definitely need to be replaced....insulation is literally falling off. Is this thing really worth the trouble. How expensive are the lower units to repair....I'm counting on a total rebuild. Does anyone make an electrical harness for these? And probably the biggest question of all, how reliable are they and is there a lot of maintenance (more than other outboards) required.
Thanks

 

[turtles11756]

Re: 950 Merc 60's vintage, is it worth it

check compression in all cylinders, if it's strong and even your next problem will be dropping the lower unit to get at the water pump.. then check all the wiring for rot . is the transom on the boat rotted ? grab the motor at skeg and pull up against the stop and see how bad the back of the boat flexes. i took the same motor off an old rotted boat 1967' 950SS it fired right up

 

[bc28036]

Re: 950 Merc 60's vintage, is it worth it

I can tell you the wiring is trash. The insulation has just flaked off in a couple of places that I can easily see. I have doubts about the lower unit being servicable and yes the water pump is my 1st concern. The real question is should I bother. The boat is not easily reached nor does it have a working battery. How reliable are these motors, and are they a lot of trouble to keep running? I'm looking at doing a repower with this motor.

FYI The transom is reinforced with a SS plate and I checked it yesterday and it was sturdy. The boat is repairable, as long as you don't mind doing a floor and stringers.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 950 Merc 60's vintage, is it worth it

If I were you I'd find out exactly which year it was built so you can find out how available parts will be to purchase.

I have a '72 Merc 800 and parts are out there, so I may invest a bit and try to get it going. I would feel better dumping my cash into a Johnnyrude of late 70s/early 80s vintage though.

Do you have the serial number? It is located a few places, one of which is locate near the bolts on the transom.

Good luck to ya, and there are some vintage Merc gurus that can help you out if you have questions down the road.

 

[turtles11756]

Re: 950 Merc 60's vintage, is it worth it

if the controls are there hook up a battery and check compression with a gauge that has a flexible hose in order to get at the bottom cylinder.if it's even at about 120 lbs PSI, go for it but your gonna have to be able to drop the LU to get at the water pump eventually

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: 950 Merc 60's vintage, is it worth it

Those engines are sought after by the restro collectors. Being sure the power head isnt blown is a must if you want to ever hear it purr. Unless you are willing to spend lots of time and money locating parts that can be very hard to find especially if it has a magneto. Just the wiring harness from the engine to the battery will cost several hundred to replace and magneto parts if you can find them will cost GOLD. For 200 bucks its well worth it in parts alone but if your goal is to just have a dependable engine I would find something much newer.